Raekwon

Where to party in Denver on 4/20

See also: Pot critic William Breathes answers your cannabis queries in a special 4/20 edition

The ten best storytellers in hip-hop

The art of storytelling has existed since before recorded history, so it's somewhat surprising that the practice didn't take off in hip-hop, an originally oral tradition, until the late '80s. Since rappers discovered just how captivating a well-told story could be, the storytelling track has become ... More >>

Backbeat writers sound off on the year's best national albums

See also: Moovers and Shakers 2012: Backbeat writers praise the year's best local albums

Action Bronson

Wednesday, November 28, Fox Theatre, Boulder, 303-443-3399; Thursday, November 29, Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom, 303-297-1772.

Why do musicians endorse candidates?

There's probably a certain amount of sincerity involved when a famous musician endorses a political candidate. But even the most un-cynical, democracy-loving patriot will have to admit that there's a hell of a lot more to the rock star/candidate public union than just fiscal policy. Endorsing a poli ... More >>

In honor of Amendment 64: Ten stoner anthems, overt hip-hop odes to Mary Jane

Today's election marks a potentially monumental day for our state. With Amendment 64 on the ballot, Colorado is on the cusp of being the first state to regulate marijuana like alcohol. In honor of what could be a historic moment in the legislative annals of the Centennial State, we've compiled ten o ... More >>

Photos: Dave Matthews at Community College of Aurora stumping for President Obama, 11/4/12

You've got to hand it to whoever is in charge of coordinating talent for Obama's Colorado appearances, particularly the grassroots event last night at Community College of Aurora featuring Dave Matthews. It was a shrewd move tapping Mr. Matthews to stump for the Prez. That's one way of wooing the Ce ... More >>

The Head and the Heart at CU Boulder, 11/1/12

THE HEAD AND THE HEART @ COORS EVENT CENTER | 11/1/12 President Obama's speech last night at the University of Colorado's Coors Event Center marked the umpteenth time the Commander in Chief has stopped in the Centennial State this campaign season -- just last week, he was touting his record in Denv ... More >>

Photos: The Romney/Ryan Victory Rally with Kid Rock and Rodney Atkins at Red Rocks

Last night at Red Rocks, presidential hopefuls Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan held their optimistically titled Victory Rally at Red Rocks. More than 10,000 people reportedly showed up and thousands were turned away. Kid Rock and Rodney Atkins both played a batch of acoustic songs. According to Brandon Ma ... More >>

#ShitRappersSay on stage in Denver

The next few days kick off what will no doubt be a summer of hip-hop shows to remember in the Mile High City: Yasiin Bey (formerly Mos Def) and Talib Kweli (as Black Star) will be swooping through the town this weekend, as will Drake on his Club Paradise Tour, featuring J.Cole, Waka Flocka, 2Chainz, ... More >>

Fresh local hip-hop from BLKHRTS, Subculture Icons, Mr. Midas with SP Double and more

We've got a slew of new hip-hop to share with you this week: BLKHRTS collaborate with Rockie and Innerstate Ike on FOE's joint, "My Team Winning," Six O'Clock and friends, meanwhile, represent the underground with their Mobb Deep/Alchemist-esque joint as Subculture Icons, Fort Collins MC Moss gets h ... More >>

The Wu-Tang Clan forever changed the game

Heavily inspired by mob movies and king-fu cinema, Wu-tang Clan began in Staten Island, the brainchild of the brilliantly sharp RZA, who brought his brothers and their talents together to form a hip-hop conglomerate whose rhymes are as much based on the science of everything in life as they are abou ... More >>

Slam poet Suzi Q. Smith brought a national championship to Denver

Sounds of Blackness: J Dilla

Happy birthday, J Dilla!​Ah, J Dilla. His influence and production style brought forth beatmakers carrying their backpacks filled with treasures from the basement into the mainstream. Even more so after his death. A cult-like following surrounds his legacy. Born James Dewitt Yancey in February ... More >>

Review: Yelawolf at the Bluebird, 10/4/11

YELAWOLF at BLUEBIRD THEATER | 10/4/11Yelawolf put his country grammar on full blast last night at the Bluebird on the first stop of his two day tour through Colorado (Yelawolf's due tonight at the Fox Theatre in Boulder). The Alabama MC stalked onto the stage amid deep-blue lighting and tons of smo ... More >>

Mile Highlights: Shows announced/on sale this week, local radio playlists and top local sellers

​ Here's what's good in the Mile High City this week. On the concert front: Besides the back-to-back Mumford & Sons dates we told you about yesterday, we have word on the Cars and Taylor Swift shows, as well as Hudson Gardens and Mishawaka's summer lineups. Meanwhile on local radio, Veronica, ... More >>

Mile Highlights: Shows announced/on-sale this week, local radio playlists and top local sellers

​ Here's what's good in the Mile High City this week. On the concert front: The Flaming Lips have announced a co-headlining date with Primus this August at Red Rocks. Kenny Chesney is also at the Rocks in July, and Panic! at the Disco is due at the Ogden in June. Meanwhile on local radio, Air ... More >>

SIA Tradeshow and Denver BigAir: Things to do in Denver if you're not a pro or a badgeholder

Britt Chester​ By now you've seen the monstrosity that's been constructed at Civic Center Park. Turns out it wasn't a mini-skyscraper skyscraper after all. It's a ramp, as you can see here in the photo taken just a bit ago from the top of structure by our always intrepid scribe and resident d ... More >>

Hip-Hop Covers: The Wu-Tang Clan tribute at the Walnut Room

You're familiar with the Wu Tang Clan, we presume? Yeah? Meet the Ru Tang clan. Okay, that's not the name these ladies are going by, but it seems like a fitting enough handle seeing as how our own Ru Johnson is helping put together this very special show at the Walnut Room this Saturday, January 2 ... More >>

On sale this weekend: A Day to Remember, Circle Jerks and Yanni

​A Day to Remember and Bring Me the Horizon are co-headlining The Game Changers Tour, slated to stop at the Fillmore Auditorium on Sunday, March 27. We Came as Romans and Pierce the Veil are also on the bill. Tickets ($35.25) go on sale this Saturday, December 18 at 10 a.m.

Wiz Khalifa at the Ogden Theatre - 10/07/10

​ WIZ KHALIFA With Yelawolf 10.07.10 | Ogden Theatre Last night at the Ogden Theatre for the Denver leg of the Waken Baken tour, Wiz Khalifa completely set it off. The scene at the beginning of the night was set by throngs of teenage girls in Wiz Khalifa shirts, mixed in with a thick crowd t ... More >>

If President Obama has a thing for hip-hop, here are five artists to add to his iPod

​In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, our president revealed that his music palette has expanded slightly in recent years with a little help from his personal aide, Reggie Love. New additions to his usual standbys of Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones include Nas and Lil' Wayne. It's a lit ... More >>

Grinderman, RJD2 and Dismemberment Plan fill our playlists this week

​As people who think about, talk about, listen to and make music, the most common question we encounter is, "What are you listening to right now?" So whether you're looking for recommendations, trying to get a feel for our individual sensibilities, or are just curious, we've compiled a list of ... More >>

Top Five reuses of Teddy Pendergrass Songs

​It was sad news when we found out Teddy Pendergrass had died on Wednesday of colon cancer. As others began collecting the best of his songs into comprehensive and downright exhaustive lists, we started thinking about who had used his sultry baritone or music for other ends. His songs have bee ... More >>

Backbeat writers weigh in on the year's best national releases

Tom Waits top seller at Twist and Shout

​Apparently there was a bit of a fight between Tom Waits' Glitter & Doom Live and Susan Boyle's I Dreamed a Dream last week at Twist & Shout, and fortunately, Waits, who turned sixty yesterday, was the victor. Blakroc, the Black Keys' new hip-hop project, came in third, while Them Crooked ... More >>

Freeloader: "I Don't Know" by Brikabrak and Naeem Oba

​Earlier today, we posted a Q&A with Brikabrak and Naeem Oba, and now we present you with a free track from the pair to download. Built upon a beat laid down by King Karnov, the track, "I Don't Know," centers on Naeem Oba's rhymes, which he recorded at CCM studios on Colfax, and Brikabrak's de ... More >>

Q&A with Krispy Kream of the Knux

​Don't let the tight jeans and thick-rimmed glasses fool you. The brothers who make up The Knux were raised about as far away from the suburbs as you can get: New Orleans' Ninth Ward. Still, Krispy Kream and Rah Almillio (aka Kentrell and Alvin Lindsey) found their sound by listening to just a ... More >>

Friday Rap-Up: ManeLine, Hip-Hop Stars React to Obama win, Shakir Stewart Suicide, Mos Def

Friday Rap-Up: Nyke Nitti, Dr. Dre, The Game, DMX

Live Review: Rock the Bells Tour

Q&A With The RZA

Friday Rap-Up: F.O.E., Rock the Bells Tour, Nas, EPMD

Friday Rap-Up: 25 Colorado Rappers Spit on One Song

The Friday Rap-Up: DJ Low Key, Jay-Z, KRS-One, Buckshot, Dr. Dre

Critics' Picks for 2007

Backbeat scribes sound off on their favorite releases of the past year.

Wu-Tang Clan

8 Diagrams
Loud/SRC/Universal

Last Night: Rock the Bells @ Red Rocks

Déjà Wu

What's up with the Wu-Tang Clan paying homage to Stapleton and Park Hill?

The Beatdown

Four elements make one movement.

Backwash

Mike V puts on his Gameface.

Judgment Day

Backbeat contributors offer up their favorite recordings of 1999.

With a Slickness

Rapper Slick Rick is back with a new album and a new tale to tell.

Two for the Future

To hip-hop's OutKast and Black Eyed Peas, the glass is half full.

Playlist

Playlist

The Prize Patrol

The biggest musical winners from 1996.

To Buy or Not to Buy

Reviews of 23 recent superstar recordings--just in time for your holiday purchasing pleasure.

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